Ex-F1 boss accuses McLaren of favouring one driver in title fight

Former F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone believes McLaren has been favouring Lando Norris during the title fight this year.

Norris has been squaring up against team-mate Oscar Piastri in the championship battle for the entire year, with little to separate the pair for much of the campaign.

Norris has held the upper hand of late and took over the drivers' championship lead last time out in Mexico City, while Piastri crossed the line in fifth place.

It continued a rough stretch of form for Piastri, who has been out-paced by Norris at every grand prix since the Netherlands.

Ecclestone sees Norris as having more “star quality” than Piastri, an element that has resulted in McLaren favouring the 25-year-old.

“McLaren prefers the English driver Norris,” Ecclestone told sport.de. 

“He has more star quality and marketing appeal for them, has more camera presence and publicity. That's probably why it's better for McLaren.”

The title fight has not come without its controversies, particularly regarding the team orders in Monza and the minor repercussions imposed upon Norris following light contact on the opening lap of the Singapore Grand Prix.

McLaren has consistently reminded its drivers of the “papaya rules” they have agreed to, but Ecclestone thinks the terms are starting to irritate Piastri.

“You can tell that Piastri is upset and tired by this, and that the discussions about it annoy him,” Ecclestone said. 

“The pressure is mounting, and Piastri is frustrated that he can no longer win races so easily and that Norris is obviously favoured within the team.”